Quiz Break

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When Donald Trump is inaugurated into office this January, his wife, Melania Trump, will become our country’s first lady.

She will be the first naturalized citizen to serve as first lady.

But she’s not the first to have been born outside of the United States. Can you name the other first lady who was born abroad?

It’s Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, wife of our 6th president, John Quincy Adams.

Louisa was born in London. While her mother was English, her father is often described as American. That description is interesting given that Louisa was born in 1775, more than a year before the United States declared independence.

Why does it matter? Well, the United States Naturalization Law of March 26, 1790 was the first to state that children of U.S. citizens born abroad “shall be considered as natural born citizens.”

So, did that act retroactively make Louisa a U.S. citizen?

No one seems to question that Louisa was American. Only “political enemies” called her English.

Regardless, she’s the only other first lady to have been born outside of the United States.

-KitJ